Filter flow device



Jan- 1'5, 1940. N. M. Nr-:ssE'r FILTER FLOW DEVICE v Filed Aug. ,5, 1958 nvenor.- Nuurnce M.' Nesse,

Patented Jan. 1,6,

anrice M. Nesset, Glenview, lll., assigner Baxterlbontoriel,

poration of Delaware IM., GMM,

immuun sum s, im, sam No. mais Claiml.

This invention relates to a visual iiltering device for blood and other liquids.

Inthe transfusion of, blood or in the injection of banked blood, it is extremely important that all blood clots be eliminated while at the Same time all of the blood free from clot utilized. It is also important that the physician b e able to determine the rate of flow of the blood which is to enter the vein and to be able to detect immediately the presence of blood clot in the equipment.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple structure wherein filtering of the blood is accomplished in such a way that the stopping of the filter or a portion thereof is evident and is immediately detected while at the Sametime the rate of flow of filtered blood, free oi clot, is readily determined. A further object is to provide simple apparatus, of very few parts, which can be readily disassembled for purifying and then reassembled, the parts forming when assembled substantially a unitary compact structure and providing therein filtering means 'as well as drip means. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the .specication proceeds.

The invention is illustrated in a further embodiment, by the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of tube apparatus embodying my invention; and Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view, the section being taken as indicated at line 2 of Fig. l.

In the illustration given, I0 designates a tube which may be formed of glass, position materials, etc. The tube I0 is provided at its lower end with an integral tube-receiving extension Il. Centrally and interiorly, the tube I0 is provided with an integral and downwardly extended drip tube I2. The upper end ci the tube is provided with molded threads I3 which receive an interiorly threaded closure cap It formed of hard rubber, Bakelite, or other resin condensation products, etc. The cap it is centrally apertured to receive the tube t5 through which the blood or other liquidis introduced into the lter tube It.

' Within the lter tu It is supported a illter It which may be located at any suitable point so as to filter the blood passing through the tube. In the illustration given, the lter I6 is supported in the upper portion of the tube, being held in position by a lresilient plug II. The plug Il is provided with a lateral ange I8 resting upon the ,closed by mesh or screen. The

transparent com- I and sterilizing. The cap it is removed (ci. zio-1u) l top edge of tube I0 and is ilrmly held in engagementstherewith by the threaded cap Il.

The iilter tube IB may be formed of any suitable material adapted for ltering blood or other liquids.4 It may be formed oi cloth, metal mesh 5 or any4 other suitableiilterins medium. In the illustration given. it consists of a screen or mesh formed of stainless steel and Joined to form a tube having its upper end openl and its lower end upper end of the l0 lter I8 is provided with an inwardly extending ring Il which is received within a corresponding recess 20 in the plug I1.

Operation 1| In the operation of the device, an inlet rubber tube is secred to the upper end of glass tube II;v

A similar rubber tube is secured to the outlet extensiony Il and leads to an injection needle. A suitable valve or clamp (not shown) vis employed 20 for controlling the rate of flow of the blood. The blood enters tube I0 through inlet tube I5 and passes through the illter I6, dripping downwardly into the constriction tube I2 from which it ows in a central stream into the lower portion of tube 25 I0. /Thus the physician canV s ee the exact rate o f ow of the ltered bloodvfrom the centrally disposed drip tube I2 while atthe vsaine time, ii'

. clotting occurs in the filter or prior to its entrance the transfusion operation may be interrupted and $5 a new lter substituted.

It will be observed that inthe transfusion operation, the ltering is carried on entirely within the sealed tube I0 so that there is no possibility for infection of the liquid. Under no circum- 40 stances is blood clot allowed `to enter the veins. Should the clotting besevere, the lter i6 will prevent any blood whatever from passing through.' The physician can detect the presence ci clotting not only by the reduced dow through the drip 45 tube I2 but also through the inspectionfot the illter itself. v

'I'he parts are readily disassembled ior tube I5. The plug Il may then be lift tube It, carrying with it the filter It. is released from plug Il by pulling the 'same downwardly. The separate parts may then be readily cleaned and sterilized. In assembly, the

sterilized lter I6 may be lifted by a sterile cloth 55 and pressed into engagement with tube I1 so that the ring I9 engages the recess 20. The plug I1 is then dropped into position, as illustrated, and the cap I4 screwed into sealing relation so that the ange I8 is compressed against the top edge of tube II).

While I have shown a specific embodiment and a preferred arrangement of the filter, it will be understood that such details may be modified considerably, the location of the filter within the tube being changed, modified means for supporting the filter being employed, and filters of various shapes and materials being used. It will also be obvious that many different types of filter supporting means and sealing closures may be used.

The foregoing disclosure has been given for purpose of illustration only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in View of the prior art.

I claimr- 1. In visual filtering apparatus of the character set forth for blood and other liquids, a transparent tube provided with a drip tube centrally disposed therein whereby a central stream of liquid within the tube is made visible, a filter supported within said tube, inlet and outlet connections for said tube, and means for supporting said filter Awithin said tube whereby all the liquid passing into said tube is caused to pass through said filter.-

2. In filtering and drip apparatus of the character set forth for blood and other liquids, a transparent tube provided with a central drip therein, said tube being provided with an outlet connection at its bottom, a removable closure for the top of said tube, means for introducing liquid into the top portion of said tube, and a filter suspended within said tube so as to filter all incoming liquid.

3. Liquid filtering and drip apparatus of the character set forth comprising: a transparent tube provided with an inlet and an outlet, a nltersuspended within said tube so as to receive all 'infiowing liquid, and a drip tube within said tube for directing a small stream of liquid centrally therein for indicating the rate of iiow.

4. In drip and filter apparatus of the character set forth, a transparent tube equipped at its lower end with an outlet tube connection and at an intermediate point with an integral inwardly and downwardly extending drip tube, a closure for the upper portion of said tube, a filter within said tube, and means cooperating with said closure for suspending said filter from the top portion of said tube, said closure being provided with an inlet through which liquid enters said filter.

5. In filtering and.drip apparatus of the character set forth, a transparent tube provided at its lower end with an outlet tube connection and provided centrally with an inwardly and downwardly extending drip tube, a resilient plug closing the top of said tube, a cap engaging said tube and sealing said resilient plug against said tube, an inlet tube extending through said cap and plug, and a filter suspended from the top portion of said tube and held by said plug.

6. In filtering and drip apparatus of the character set forth, a transparent tube provided at its lower end with an outlet tube extension and provided at an intermediate point with an inwardly and downwardly extending drip tube, a rubber plug equipped with flanges resting upon the top edge of said tube, a closure cap threadedly engaging the upper portion of said tube and clamping the iiange of saidA plug against the top edge of said tube, a filter within said tube having its upper portion interlockingly engaged with said plug and an inlet tube extending centrally through said cap and said plug.

NAURICE M. NESSET. 

